Image: Soapberry bug
Red bugs have been swarming across parts of South Australia, with locals and experts spotting them from Adelaide to Waikerie, and throughout the Murray Mallee region. Even long-time residents of the Barossa Valley who have never seen these bugs before are now finding them everywhere outdoors. While these bugs are not harmful to humans, they have sparked curiosity and concern among locals, who describe the insects as “annoying.”
Experts say these red bugs are a type of tree bug, but they’re not exactly sure which species they belong to. There are thousands of similar-looking bugs, which makes it hard to identify them. Kris from Bugs n Slugs believes they have narrowed it down to a species known as the soapberry bug, with the Latin name being Leptocoris mitellatus. While it’s possible these bugs belong to one of the other closely related species within the Leptocoris genus, Kris from Bugs n Slugs says soapberry is the most likely match.
“I went for a drive out past Kuranda in the Murray Mallee to have a look at some, and they are reasonably hard to identify, unless you’re looking under a microscope,” Kris from Bugs n Slugs says.
These red bugs are seed predators, and although they are native and not harmful to humans, their large numbers can damage plants. Experts think that this year’s conditions have created the “perfect storm” for their population to grow so rapidly.
“At the moment, there isn’t a lot of water around, and these guys feed on plants that are high in sapients,” Kris says. Kris explains that sapients in plants help protect them from predators by making them taste bad, so other bugs avoid eating them.
These bugs have appeared in South Australia in large numbers before, especially during droughts. Kris thinks several factors might have caused the big increase in bugs this year, like more food, fewer predators, and even the growth of weeds.
“I sometimes see these bugs and various different species of soapberry bugs in association with different crops. Sometimes they’re attracted to canola and crops like that,” Kris says.
The red bugs are really attracted to light, and their numbers can get so high that they overwhelm people, especially in rural areas. To reduce their presence, especially at night, locals can try a few methods. Since the bugs are drawn to light, putting up light-blocking curtains can help keep them away from homes. Alternatively, if you want to trap them, drawing them to light can also work well.
“They’re in such large numbers at the moment that it would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack to get rid of them,” Kris says. “Plus, they can leave a bit of an orange stain if you squash one on your fingers, so just leave them alone.”
For now, people in South Australia will just have to deal with the strange red bug swarms, while experts keep an eye on the situation and try to figure out why there are so many of them.
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